Vary
/ˈveəri/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo differ in size, amount, degree, or nature; to change or alter.
/ˈveəri/
To differ or be different; to change.
The sizes of the cakes vary.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're eating a box of chocolates. Some have nuts, some don't; some are dark, some are milk. That's 'vary'—different from each other!
👶 For kids: When things are different, they vary! Like when some toys are big and some are small.
More Examples
The menu at the restaurant varies daily.
My mood seems to vary with the weather.
How It's Used
"The prices of the products vary depending on the season."
"The data points vary slightly due to experimental error."
To change or alter something in some way.
/ˈveəri/
To make some change in; to modify or alter.
The director decided to vary the ending of the play.
💡 Simply: Think of an artist painting the same picture but changing the colors and shapes a little bit each time. The artist is *varying* the artwork!
👶 For kids: To change something a little bit, like when you change the way you draw a flower.
More Examples
The tailor can vary the length of the trousers.
She varied her approach to the problem.
How It's Used
"The composer varied the melody to create a different effect."
"We will vary our strategy depending on market conditions."
Synonyms
Alter
Change
Differ
Shift
Adjust
Modify
Transform
Tweak
From Latin *variāre* meaning 'to change, alter,' from *varius* meaning 'diverse, different.'
Used since the 14th century, often in contexts describing change and difference.